Police Review Panel Revived City’s Second Attempt To Provide Citizen’s Oversight Commission

Thu., March 27, 1997

By Adam Lynn adaml@spokesman.com

Residents now have a place to turn for help if they aren’t satisfied with how the Spokane Police Department handles complaints against officers.

After two years of dormancy, the Citizens Review Commission held its first meeting Wednesday night.

The seven-member commission has two duties: to serve as an oversight panel for internal disciplinary investigations; and to monitor trends in police conduct.

The commission replaces the defunct Citizens Review Panel. The panel was disbanded in 1994 after many people criticized it as being toothless and too heavily weighted in favor of the police department.

In spring 1995, Mayor Jack Geraghty appointed a committee to restructure the panel to give it more power and independence. The new commission resulted, but Geraghty didn’t appoint anyone to fill it until recently.

City Councilwoman Roberta Greene told the members of the new commission Wednesday they wield a lot of power.

“There’s meat in this one,” Greene said. “The agenda is the citizens’ agenda, not the Police Department’s agenda, not the City Council’s agenda.”

Commission members are:

The Rev. Lonnie Mitchell Jr., pastor at Bethel AME Church and a six-year Spokane resident. Mitchell has been elected chairman of the committee.

Retired appellate court judge James “Ben” McInturff. McInturff is a Spokane native who served in the Marine Corps during World War II.

Michael Holmes, who teaches in the administration of justice program at Spokane Community College. Holmes is a former New Jersey police officer and a 15-year resident of Spokane.

Betsy Ressa, a computer specialist for Spokane School District 81. Ressa’s father is a former FBI agent.

Atara Clark, a real estate agent and a leader of the Spokane Kiwanis Club. Clark is an eight-year resident of the city.

Monte DeChenne, who works as a transportation supervisor for Spokane Transit Authority.

Rabbi Jacob Izakson of Temple Beth Shalom.

All the members said they looked forward to their roles.

“I like to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem,” Mitchell said. “I like to work things out through dialogue. I think this is a chance to do that.”

Commissioners are still writing policies and procedures for the new board, and a regular meeting schedule has not been established.

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